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(No Model.) I 3 SheetsSheet 1.

H. TABOR. MOLDING APPARATUS.

N0. '533,401. Patented Jan. 29, 1895.

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No. 533,401. Paten'td Jan. 29, 1895.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. TABOR.

MOLDING APPARATUS.

a' Patented Jan. 29, 1895.

' rrs rn'rns HARRIS TABOR, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO TABORMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MOLDING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 533,401, dated January29, 1895. Application filed April 14, 1894. Serial No. 507,508. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRIS TABOR, a citizen of the United States,residing in Elizabeth,

Union county, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Molding Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for producing moldsin which metal castings are to be made, and said improvements consist inproviding the apparatus with means for slightly agitating the patternswith relation to the sand in the flasks, in order to free the patternsfrom any clinging particles of sand, when the patterns are to bewithdrawn from the molds, thereby doing away with the necessity of astripping-plate, in mounting the pattern-plate upon a yielding support,in order that such agitation may be the more effective, and the molds beleft in better condition when the patterns are withdrawn; in supportingthe sprue-plug in the sand so that the molds cannot be damaged by anydownward movement of said plug when it is seized to be removed; and incertain other features of construction and arrangement, all ashereinafter described and claimed.

In order to illustrate my improvements and their application, I haveselected a power molding-machine, the general construction and operationof which is similar to that shown and described in Letters Patent of theUnited States granted to me March 17, 1891, and numbered 448,596, thoughsaidimprovements may be applied to machines difierently'constructed.

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings, Figure 1 represents afront view of a power molding-machine to which the improvements areshown as applied, with the blocks on the ramming-head, the filledflasks, the patterns, and portions of the parts in vertical section.Figs. 2 and 3 show vertical sections in two positions, of the three-wayvalve that may be employed in the power-inlet pipe. Fig. 4 represents avertical section of the machine, on line X X of Figs. 1 and 7. Fig. 5shows, on a larger scale, a vertical section of a portion of the flask,its supporting-frame, and parts adjacent, illustrating the mounting ofthe pattern-plate on yielding supports, and

. 6 represents, on an enlarged scale, a vertical section of the cylinderor case in which the power rapper, or agitator, is mounted toreciprocate, and shows the valve-box governing the inlet of the mediumfor operating said rapper. Fig. '7 represents a horizontal section, online Y Y of Figs. 1 and 4:, through the flask and power-inlet pipe, anda top view of the automatic rapper and its connections with the machineand with such pipe. Fig.8 shows, on a larger scale, a vertical sectionof a portion of the flask, pattern-supporting plate, and pattern,illustrating the effect (greatly exaggerated) on the molded sand, of theoperation of the rapper. Figs. 9 and 10 represent, on an enlarged scale,vertical, longitudinal sections of the rapping-device with thereciprocating hammer in two positions. Fig. 11 shows, on an enlargedscale, in vertical section a check-valve which may be employed in theexhaust-pipe that connects with the main cylinder of the machine, togovern the descent of the piston when near the end of its downwardmovement.

The specific construction of all the parts of the power molding-machineshown in the drawings needs no description, as it forms, in general, nopart of the present invention. The machine, however, consists chiefly ofa cylinder, 1, in which a piston, 2, is mounted to be reciprocatedvertically, the said piston carryingupon its upper end a head or frame,50, upon which normally rests a frame, 3, that supports the flask orflasks, 4, and apatternholding plate or plates, 5, upon which thepatterns, 6, are secured. The pattern-plate is independent of theflask-supporting frame, and is vertically movable with relation thereto,in order that the patterns may be withdrawn from the sand after themolding operation has been completed. The machine is furnished with aramming-head, 7, to which are secured one or more blocks, 8, accordingto the number of flasks to be rammed, and these blocks are adapted toenter between the walls of the respective sand-boxes on the flasks inorder to pack the sand firmly upon and around the patterns. The piston,carrying the patterns and flasks, is moved upwardly, to bring the sandin the flasks into engagement with the blocks, 8, by any suitable power,as steam, water, or air, which is introduced into the cylinder, 1,through the pipe, 9,Fig. 1. This pipe is shown as being provided with athree-way valve, 10, Figs. 2 and 3, which is operated by a lever, 11.When th evalve is in the position shown in Fig, 3, the steam (which ispreferably used) passes through the valve and enters the cylinder, at12, Figs. 1 and 4, and forces the piston to its highest point, therebysecuring a proper ramming of the sand in the flask. The 1ever,11, isthen operated to turn the valve,10, into the position shown in Fig. 2,thereby shutting off the entrance of steam, and opening the pipe, 9,into the exhaust-pipe 13. The piston now descends by gravity, thepatterns being withdrawn from the sand by such descent. The head, 7,with its blocks, 8, is swung to one side, as shown by dotted lines inFig. 4, to enable the flasks to be conveniently reached, and the flasksare removed.

The arrangement of the parts by which the withdrawal of the patternsfrom the sand is effected, is as follows: The rigidly-attached head orframe, 50, on the upper end of the piston, carries cylinders orsocket-pieces, 51, that are occupied by guide-rods, 52, Figs 1 and 4,depending from the flask-supporting frame, 3, so that the piston maymove vertically independently of the frame, 3. On each side of themachine, bars, 53, are pivoted at one end to the head, 50, and areconnected intermediate of their length to the flask-supporting frame, bylinks, 54, which are pivoted at their lower ends to said bars, and attheir upper ends to hanger-arms, 55, depending from and attached to theflask-supporting frame, 3. Arms, 56, are pivoted at theirlower ends uponthe cylinder-head, and springs, 57, tend to swing them toward thecentral, vertical line of the machine. When the piston is about to moveupwardly, that the ramming-operation may be performed, the parts are inthe position shown in Fig. 4. As the piston ascends, the free end ofeach bar, 53, moves up its adjacent arm, 56, until it passes above theshoulder, 58, on the arm, when the arms are swung inward by the springs,against the ends of the bars. When the piston begins to descend, thebars, 53, are carried downward with it until their free ends rest uponsaid shoulders, which now form fulcrums for the bars, and the descent ofthe flask-supporting frame is thereby retarded, but not stopped. Thepattern-plate continues to descend with the piston, and as its rate ofspeed is greater than that of the frame, 3, or difierential withrelation thereto, the patterns are gradually withdrawn from the moldedsand. After the flasks have been removed, the workmans foot is appliedto a toe-piece, 59, on the arm, 56, when the bars, 53, are released fromthe shoulders, 58, and the frame, 3, and bars, 53, fall by gravity tothe positions shown in'Fig. 4.

In a machine organized as above described,

it has been found necessary to employ a stripping-plate, fitting closelyaround the patterns, in order that the sand at the lower edges of themolds shall not break away or crumble off, when the patterns arewithdrawn; and the warming of the patterns has also been resorted to forthis purpose. The construction of such stripping-plates, and suchwarming, form a material expense in the molding operation, and thestripping-plates can be conveniently applied only to the exterioroutline of the patterns. One object of my invention is to do away withsuch plates, and the warming of the patterns. This object I accomplishby employing a rapping-device, which, by its operation, very slightlyagitates the patterns laterally with relation to the sand, and freesthem from any clinging particles of sand, so that the molds made by thepatterns will be left clean, and sharp at all the edges, when thepatterns are withdrawn, thereby securing a mold which is superior to onewhere a stripping-plate has been used, which plate can only protect theedges of the mold that are in contact therewith.

The agitator or rapping-device, 14, shown in the drawings, consists of amovable block, or hammer, 15, which is mounted to be reciprocated bysuitable means, in a barrel or case, 16, Figs. 9 and 10. To secure thegreatest durability, this hammer is preferably provided at one end witha hardened steel plug,

, 1 7, and at the other end with a similar plug,

18, which plugs receive the impactof the hammer against the two screws,19, 20, threaded into the respective ends of the case, 16. These screwsare, also, preferably hardened on their inner ends, and are madeadjustable, so as properly to control the amount of movement of thehammer under all, or varying circumstances. A spring, 21, whose officeis to return the'hammer to its normal position, shown in Fig. 9, bearsat one end upon the hammer, and at the other upon a screw-plug, 22,which plug enables the spring to be conveniently inserted, and furnishesa means by which the same can be variably compressed. The case, 16, isprovided within two openings or ports, 23, 24, the former to admit thesteam, or power to drive the hammer toward the right hand, and into theposition shown in Fig. 10, and the latter to allow said steam toexhaust, as shown by the arrow in said figure, when the hammer has beendesirably moved in such direction.

To govern the inlet of steam, the device is furnished with a suitablevalve, 25, Figs. 4 and 6, which is shown as adapted to be opened by abent lever, 26, connected to the outer end of the valve-stem and pivotedupon an arm, 27, projecting from the valve body. The valve is heldclosed, by a spring, 28, operating upon the lever, or by any othersuitable means. A flexible tube, 29, Figs. 1 and 7, is shown asconnecting the device with a pipe, 30, which enters the steam supplypipe above its valve, 10.

IIO

- The agitating-device may be applied to the machine so as to operateupon the flask, or upon its supporting-frame, as will be readilyunderstood, but I prefer to have it operate upon the pattern-holdingplate, or an attachment thereto. For convenience, the patternplate issecured to a frame, 47, Figs. 1, 4 and 5, which frame virtually forms apart of the plate, and from this frame an arm, 48, is shown asprojecting laterally, Figs. 4, 5 and 7, to which the rapping device issecured, so that the movements of the hammer will impart a slightlytremulous motion, or agitation to the pattern-plate, and thereby freethe patterns from sand and loosen them in the molds, as shown in Fig. 8,where the clearance between the pattern and mold is greatly exaggeratedin order that the efiect may be understood. As a matter of fact,although this agitation secures the result desired, it does notperceptibly or measurably enlarge the molds.

.The rapping-device may be brought into operation when the ramming hasbeen completed, but I prefer to cause the device to act before suchcompletion, in order that it may perform the further office of causingthe sand to settle into more intimate contact with the patterns.

Various means may be employed for bringing the device into action, butthe means shown consist of a vertical bar, 31, Fig. 4, pro jectingupwardly from the head of the cylinder 1, and having an inclinedportion, 32,which opens the valve, 25, when the lever, 26, comes incontact therewith during the rising of the piston, 2, and the partswhich it supports. The length of time that the device continues inactionwill depend upon the edge-contour of the bar, 31, which is shown asstraight, above the incline, 32, so that the rapping operation continueswhile the ramming of the sand is being effected and until the patternshave been partially withdrawn.

In order that the rapping may be the more effective for the purposedescribed, I prefer to mount the pattern-plate upon a yielding sup port.Such a support is shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, to consist of springs, 33,which are placed in sockets in the head, 50, the springs bearing ontheir upper ends upon the frame, 47, to which the pattern-plate issecured, as here inbefore described. This yielding support for thepattern-plate performs a further useful office, which willnow beexplained.

In order to save time, it is desirable that the piston shall descend asspeedily as properly possible after the ramming has been effected; but,asasudden downward movement of the pattern-plate would be likely todisturb the molds made by the patterns, the springs, 33, serve toholdthe patterns in contact with the molds during the initial portion ofsuch downward movement of the piston, and until the springs have fullyexpanded, when the pattern-plate will move with, and at the same speedas the piston until the patterns have passed out of the sand, into theposition indicated in Fig. 5, without in any way adding to the time ofthe pistons descent. After the springs, 33, have expanded, thepattern-plate is caused to move downwardly with the piston by theengagement of thehead, 50, with nuts or stops, 60, located on the lowerends of guide-pins, 61, which pins depend from the plate, 47, and passthrough holes in the head, 50, as shown in Fig. 1. Preferably thesprings, 33, are seated on adjusting screws, 34, Fig. 5, by which theforce of the springs can be desirably regulated.

As hereinbefore explained, the piston, 2, descends by gravity, when thesteam has been shut oif and the exhaust-pipe opened; but as suchdescent, unless checked at the latter end, would produce an undesirablejar, I prefer to employ a valve, in the exhaust-pipe, which shallprevent such a result. Such a valve, 35, is shown in Fig. 11, and itsapplication to the exhaust'pipe is indicated in Fig. 7. When theexhaust-pipe is opened, the pressure of the steam in the cylinder, 1,will raise the valve-spindle, 36, from its seat, 37, against thepressure of the spring, 38 (which spring-pressure can be regulated bythe adjusting-screw, 39, according to the weight of the piston and thetime desired for its descent) and the steam will quickly pass out of thecylinder until the pressure therein is reduced below that of the spring,38, when said spring will close the valve, and the remaining steamwillbe forced slowly to escape through a leak-slot or slots, 40, in thevalve-seat, or other small leak-opening from the chamber, 41, into thechamber,

42, thereby cushioning the piston, and bringing it to rest without jar.

It is desirable that the sprue-plug, 43, Figs. 4 and 5, shall be removedbefore the flask is taken from the machine, and as there is danger thatsaid plug, if unsupported at the bottom, may be forced downward,somewhat, into the molded sand when the plug is grasped to be withdrawn,and the molds be thereby affected, I have provided means for supportingsuch plug at the time it is applied and when the flask has fullydescended. These means are shown to consist of a post, 44, which islocated in axial, vertical alignment with the plug, passes looselythrough a hole, 45, in. the pattern-plate, and rests upon a plate, 46,which is shown as supported upon the hanger-arms, 55, that depend fromthe flask-frame, 3, Fig. 1. On the plate, 46, the posts, 44, can bemounted so as to support the sprue-plugs wherever they may be located inthe" sand.

WhatI claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a molding-apparatus, the combination of a flask-supporting frame;a pattern-holding plate independent thereof and movable laterally in ahorizontal plane with relation thereto; and a power device for agitatingthe plate and frame relatively to each other, substantially as and forthe purposes specified.

2. In a molding-apparatus, the combination of a flask-supporting frame;a pattern-hold ing plate independent thereof; and a laterally yieldingsupport for said plate, substantially as set forth.

3. In a molding-apparatus, the combination of a flask-supporting frame;a pattern-holding plate independent thereof; ayielding support for saidplate; and a device for agitating the plate and frame relatively to eachother, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In a molding-apparatus, the combination of a flask-supporting frame;a pattern-receiv in g plate independent thereof, movable laterally in ahorizontal plane with relation thereto and provided with a projectingarm; and a device mounted on said arm, for agitating the 'plate,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a molding-apparatus, the combination of a ramming-head; aflask-supporting frame; a pattern-receiving plate independent of saidframe, said frame and plate being movable to and from the head; meansfor moving the frame and plate toward the head; a device for agitatingthe plate and frame relatively to each other; and means forautomatically bringing said device into action during such movement ofsaid plate, substantially as set forth.

6. In a molding-apparatus, the combination of afiask-supporting frame; apattern-receiving plate; and a support for the sprue-plug,

which is independent of said plate, substantially as set forth.

7. In a molding-apparatus, the combination of a piston; aflask-supportil'ig frame, and a pattern-receiving plate mounted on saidpiston and movable with relation to each other; springs upon which saidpattern-plate is supported by the piston; and guides and stops fordefining the movement of said plate rela tively to the piston,substantially as set forth.

8. In a power-molding apparatus, the combination of a cylinder; a pistonmounted therein; a flask-supporting frame and a pattern-receiving platemounted on said piston independent of each other; a yielding support forsaid plate; and means for securing a differential, downward movement ofsaid frame and plate, substantially as set forth.

9. Ina fluid-power molding-apparatus comprising a cylinder, a pistonmounted therein, a flask-supporting frame and a pattern-receiving platemounted on said piston, a valve located in the exhaust-passage from saidcylinder, having an adjustable spring for seating the valve, and aleak-orifice, whereby the piston is cushioned in its descent,substantially as set forth.

- HARRIS TABOR. Witnesses:

CHAS. W. FORBES, EDsoN SALISBURY J ONES.

